Quick answer: Most dogs and cats breathe in the 20s and 30s per minute when resting or asleep. Count while your pet is resting or asleep. 40 to 60 breaths a minute at rest is abnormal, so call us or come in. Over 60 breaths a minute at rest, open mouth breathing in a cat, blue or gray gums, or a pet who can’t get comfortable is an emergency, so come in now. Call VSP Louisville at (502) 901-7990 on the way.
Watching your pet struggle to breathe is frightening. The good news is that a simple count at home can tell you a lot. Here is how to check, what is normal and when to come straight in.
What is a normal breathing rate for dogs and cats?
When your pet is asleep or resting calmly, most dogs and cats take somewhere in the 20s to 30s breaths a minute. Puppies and kittens may breathe a little faster. Dreaming can cause short bursts of quick breathing, which settle on their own.
How to count your pet’s breathing at home
- Count only while your pet is resting or asleep, in a cool room.
- Watch the chest or belly rise and fall. One rise plus one fall counts as one breath.
- Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two.
- Write it down. A few counts on different days give you a baseline.
What your count means:
- 20s and 30s breaths a minute at rest: normal for most dogs and cats
- 40 to 60 breaths a minute at rest: abnormal, so call us at (502) 901-7990 or come in
- Over 60 breaths a minute at rest: an emergency, so come in now
If your pet has heart disease, your veterinarian may ask you to track this number regularly. A steady rise over several days is worth a call even if your pet seems fine.
Dog breathing fast while sleeping: when to worry
Fast breathing that settles within a minute or two, or that follows exercise or heat, is usually normal. Worry if your dog:
- Breathes 40 to 60 times a minute at rest (call us or come in), or over 60 (come in now)
- Breathes with visible effort, with the belly pushing hard on each breath
- Has a new cough, especially at night
- Won’t lie down, or stands with elbows pointed out and neck stretched
- Has pale, blue or gray gums
Cat breathing with mouth open: when is it an emergency?
Cats very rarely pant. A short spell of open mouth breathing right after hard play or a stressful car ride can happen, but it should stop within a few minutes once your cat calms down. Open mouth breathing at rest, or breathing that does not settle, is an emergency. Cats hide illness well, so by the time breathing looks hard, they need help quickly.
Common causes of breathing trouble
- Fluid in or around the lungs, often linked to heart disease
- Asthma and airway disease, especially in cats
- Pneumonia or other lung infections
- Pain, fever or heat stress
- Trauma, such as being hit by a car
- Airway problems in flat faced breeds
When to come in now
Come in now, without waiting for a call back, if your pet has:
- Open mouth breathing at rest (cats)
- A resting or sleeping breathing rate over 60 breaths a minute
- Blue, gray or very pale gums
- Noisy, raspy or labored breathing
- Collapse or fainting
Keep your pet calm and cool, carry small pets in a carrier and avoid pressure on the chest. Our guide on when to go to the emergency vet covers other warning signs.
What happens when you arrive at VSP Louisville
Pets with breathing trouble are triaged first. Our team may start oxygen right away, then use imaging such as X rays or ultrasound to find the cause. If fluid has built up around the lungs, removing it with a procedure called thoracocentesis can bring fast relief. When the heart may be involved, our board certified internal medicine team provides heart care.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for my dog to breathe fast while sleeping?
Brief fast breathing during dreams is normal. At rest, 40 to 60 breaths a minute is abnormal, so call us or come in. Over 60 is an emergency, so come in now.
Why is my cat breathing with its mouth open?
It can happen briefly after hard play or stress. Open mouth breathing at rest, or that doesn’t stop within a few minutes, is an emergency.
Is difficulty breathing a pet emergency?
Yes. Trouble breathing can get worse quickly. Come in now and call (502) 901-7990 on the way.
What if it happens after 10 PM?
VSP Louisville offers emergency and urgent care daily until 10 PM. After that, our after hours page explains your options.
Worried about your pet’s breathing? Walk ins are welcome at 11600 Main St, no appointment needed. Our emergency and urgent care team in Louisville is here every day until 10 PM.
